Willow Accident- Statement of Facts

[Ted7rns]

Dear NASA members and racing community,

A tragic accident occurred at Willow Springs Raceway on May 24th which resulted in life threatening injuries to one of our members. Due to the number of erroneous accounts posted on the internet including supposed “first hand reports” which we know are false, we are publishing this statement of facts in hopes that the racing community will be respectful of the family and refrain from further uninformed speculation.

At 11:30am Joseph Drey was driving his 2002 Mini Cooper S in NASA’s High Performance Driving Experience when the vehicle left the racing surface at the exit of Turn 9 and subsequently turned back across the track. While sliding across the infield dirt, the vehicle rolled an unknown number of times, landing upright but causing the driver to be partially ejected from the vehicle. The vehicle sustained the most significant damage located in the right rear, with additional damage extending to all remaining portions of the vehicle. The left front wheel assembly was separated from the vehicle while the other wheel assemblies remained attached. A fixed back racing seat was properly installed and remains securely attached he the vehicle. A DOT approved 4 point harness restraint system was being utilized. Rescue teams were performing lifesaving measures within 1 minute from when the car stopped rolling and immediate medical aid was administered by NASA Safety, paramedics, and 2 physicians. The patient was transported to the hospital via air ambulance where further medical treatment occurred.

It is with great regret we must recount this tragedy and all information from this event will be analyzed by experts and/or manufacturers. Should anything be learned which could improve the environment for our drivers, changes will be reflected in the NASA Club Codes and Regulations.

Sincerely,


Ryan Flaherty
National Chairman
National Auto Sport Association

[jerkeesvt]

My thoughts and prayers are with him, his family, and friends!

[kennan J]

I hope all is well.

[mysvtftoy]

Originally Posted by Ted7rns

...the vehicle rolled an unknown number of times, landing upright but causing the driver to be partially ejected from the vehicle...

...A fixed back racing seat was properly installed and remains securely attached he the vehicle. A DOT approved 4 point harness restraint system was being utilized...

That's really sad. Not knowing how that partial ejection occurred, I'm wondering if a window net might have helped keep the driver in the car, or if the 4-point was to blame.

I've been contemplating a window net and a "right-side impact head restraint system" (compliant with our local racing sanctioning requirements), but it seems like overkill for my HPDE pile. I don't know, those are really about the only things left to do in my car from a safety perspective--short of a fuel cell--that I would actually do at this point.

[Ted7rns]

Originally Posted by mysvtftoy

That's really sad. Not knowing how that partial ejection occurred, I'm wondering if a window net might have helped keep the driver in the car, or if the 4-point was to blame.

I've been contemplating a window net and a "right-side impact head restraint system" (compliant with our local racing sanctioning requirements), but it seems like overkill for my HPDE pile. I don't know, those are really about the only things left to do in my car from a safety perspective--short of a fuel cell--that I would actually do at this point.

Window net and/or Right side nets are always good. I wouldn't want a Window net unless I was wearing FR racing suit in case of fire. It takes alittle longer to get out.

So, if I go out in a race in HPDE with no Fire Suit, I will not put the window net up.

[mysvtftoy]

Thanks for the advice. Having seen a couple pics at the mininuts site, I'm thinking that what was needed in this case was a cage.

It's a real weight penalty, but it does offer some piece of mind out there.

A very sad day.

[SVTBuckeye]

NASA site says that Joe Drey passsed away.

[brads03zx3]

WARNING: For the mininuts.com site. There are lots of F-bombs, and boobies (and other parts) in avatars.

[Ted7rns]

RICHMOND, CA (May 27, 2008) —

The National Auto Sport Association (NASA) regretfully announces that Joe Drey of San Juan Capistrano, CA has succumbed to injuries suffered in an accident on May 24, 2008 at Willow Springs International Raceway in Rosamond, CA. Joe was participating in a NASA event behind the wheel of his beloved Mini Cooper S and despite the best efforts of the rescue team onsite and the medical teams at the hospital, he has now left us.

Joe started racing at 15 enjoying street drags with his friends. He got into formal track racing with an early 60's Corvette when he was in his early 20's. He eventually transitioned into Porsches, owning several over 3 decades and racing them all over California with a trailer and his own crew consisting of his two sons. As he got older he pulled away from the sport and it wasn't until the new Mini came out and he got the 9th one off the boat that his passion welled up in him again. He began immediately modifying the car and loading up on gear while frequenting his favorite track Willow Springs and taking courses including two trainings with Bob Bondurant.

Joe's family has asked that donations be made to the Mission San Juan Capistrano Preservation Fund in lieu of flowers. Donations can be made at http://www.missionsjc.com/donations.html